August 2006 Lawler Sports Newsletter

For the Month ending in August of 2006


*****Executive Summary*****
*Jack Huczek signs a long-term deal with Head/Penn Racquetball
*Sudsy Monchik returns to the Pro Tour after a two year retirement
*Team USA wins World Racquetball Team Title
*Classic Professional Racquetball Tour Announced
*Ruben Gonzalez nominated for Geezer Jock of the Year
*Rocky Carson is the First Player Ever to Win National Championship TRIFECTA!

*****Pro Tour News—Men*****

The International Racquetball Tour has been making some very positive noise in the Professional Racquetball world. The most exciting news I would have to say is the return of 5-Time Pro World Champion Sudsy Monchik. Here is a quote from Sudsy…

“I am not coming back to just sign autographs and blow kisses. I am coming back to win tournaments and make a real run at getting back to the #1 spot on tour”

He also says…

“When I got the call from Doug Ganim, Promotions Manager at HEAD, about the idea of returning to pro racquetball it was like an aching in my heart was lifted. I can’t tell you how much I have missed the game and the heat of the battle”

To read the official press release from Head go to:
http://www.irt-tour.com/tabid/2561/ctl/ArticleView/mid/6369/articleId/326/Former-number-one-Sudsy-Monchik-all-set-to-return-full-time-to-the-IRT.aspx

There is more good news on the Men’s Pro Tour. Jack Huczek signs a long term deal with Head/Penn Racquet Sports. Jack is a three time National Singles Champion, three-time and reigning National Doubles Champion, two time and reigning IRF World Champion, and the current #2 ranked player in the World on the IRT.

For the official press release from Head/Penn click here…
http://www.irt-tour.com/tabid/2561/ctl/ArticleView/mid/6369/articleId/327/Jack-Huczek-signs-with-HeadPenn-Racquet-Sports.aspx

If you would like to learn a little about Jack Huczek click here….
http://www.irt-tour.com/tabid/2561/ctl/ArticleView/mid/6369/articleId/332/Up-close-with-Jack-Huczek.aspx

Rocky Carson, top ranked IRT professional, made racquetball history this past season by becoming the first player ever to win the National Doubles, National Singles, and Outdoor National titles all in the same season. The historic run started in October of 2005 when he teamed up with Jack Huczek to win National Doubles. At the end of the season he captured his third National Singles title by upsetting top seeded Jack Huczek in the finals. To complete the trifecta, Carson bested the legendary Cliff Swain in the finals of the Outdoor Nationals.

To read the official press release from Head/Penn go to:
http://meetandplay.com/forum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=2651


The Legendary Hall of Famer Ruben Gonzalez was in the news as well. He has been nominated for the very prestigious Geezerjock Athlete of the Year Award.

Geezerjock Magazine, for the first time, is selecting what they believe to be the outstanding senior athlete in the country. Although almost every racquetball player knows of Rubens outstanding accomplishments, most of the sporting world is not familiar with his outstanding record.

What we need now, in order to get Ruben selected, is for everyone to send an e-mail to scallahan@geezerjock.com supporting Ruben's selection as Geezerjock of the Year

I have sent my vote and this is the response I received…

"Thanks for the note; Ruben is sure getting a lot of support."

Sean Callahan
Editor
GeezerJock
Please submit your vote. It can only help.

Last but not least…#11 Andy Hawthorne signs two year extension with Ektelon. For the press release go to:
http://www.irt-tour.com/tabid/2561/ctl/ArticleView/mid/6369/articleId/331/Andy-Hawthorne-signs-a-new-deal-with-Ektelon.aspx

The Men’s Pro season is officially underway. There were two stops in the month of August. The first one was in Phoenix, AZ. It was the first event of four of the Head Metallix Series and is a Tier 4 event. The IRT Pro division had a draw of 22 players all vying for that number one spot.

From the irt-tour page:
The final match against Mike Hester and Preston Tribble was a battle. Taking over two hours, the two were pounding the ball and diving all throughout the match, it was a toss up as to who would win. At 7 -7 in the fifth, Hester hit a great shot that the referee and Tribble thought was good putting Hester back in the box. As Hester was getting ready to serve he stops, walks back to the referee, and tells him the ball skipped giving Tribble the serve back and an 8-7 lead. Finally, Tribble was able to pull out the fifth game to take the match 8-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9 and 11-8, to win the first IRT Satellite event of the season.
Remaining HEAD Metallix IRT Series Events:
November 3, 4, 5
December 1, 2, 3
January 26, 27, 28

**New Orleans: The Players Championship

From the IRT page:
The IRT season usually began it season here in New Orleans but after mother nature brought Hurricane Katrina thru this great city last year this would be a rebuilding year for this event just like the rest of the city, Tournament director Al Schof and his staff gave it their all to keep the spirit of the event alive and that they did. Top ranked professionals #4 Jason Mannino and #7 Shane Vanderson were there to showcase their skills for the fans. A large draw in the pro division, which also included University of Alabama students Agustin Tristan, Shane Karmelin and the Crockett brothers, showed why the IRT has a bright future of rising stars. Mannino would push his way thru the main draw and eventually meet Vanderson in the finals. Both players gave it their all diving and blistering some great passing shots showing why they are two of the best in the world at this sport. Mannino would come out on top in this one to take the title.
The International Racquetball Tour’s future is really looking very bright.

The Sports Center in Fayetteville will host it's first professional racquetball tournament on September 14 -17 when the ladies of the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) come to town for the Outback Steakhouse Blast It! tournament. This tournament will offer the best the sport has to offer with all the top women's professional players and all the best amateurs too.

If you would like to enter into the event click below.
http://www.ncracquetball.com/Portals/7/OutbackEntryForm06Web.pdf

If you are like me and love following the Women’s Pro you can tune in LIVE during the Outback Steakhouse Blast It! Event. For more information go to:

http://www.racquetballonline.tv

The Classic Professional Racquetball Tour has announced that some of the greatest, most popular players in the history of the sport will once again hit the courts this fall. They will have a 7 city tour beginning in Las Vegas this October featuring Ruben Gonzaelez, Bret Harnett, Dan Obremski, and Mike Ray. The tour will feature pros and amateurs over 40 years old competing at each event for prize money and ranking points leading to a May Championships.

All four pros have committed to play a full schedule for the 2006-2007.

The Commissioner of this tour is Brian Pointelin. “Way to go Brian…I hope this Tour rocks.”

For the official Press Release go to:

http://meetandplay.com/forum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=2833

Are you a person who likes to be in the mix? A person who likes to know what is going on before the average fan? Do you want to be a part of a community where you can shop for all your racquetball needs and get a discount off of all purchases that are not MAP (Manufacture’s Approved Pricing) items? Do you want to converse with Top Pro’s like Jason Mannino, Shane Vanderson, Brenda Kyzer and Kristen Walsh? What about legends of the game like Marty Hogan?

Guess what??? There is a wonderful community where you get to learn so much about this awesome sport. Learn about the great people of this sport. You can communicate with so many amazing fans of racquetball. Come over and see what I mean.

Go to: www.meetandplay.com

Here is a quote from the Executive Director of USA Racquetball in the current issue of our Racquetball Magazine:

“We need to get people onto the courts. Fitness and social aspects may attract some new players. Once these players are attracted, there needs to be a dedicated club person to keep them involved. Juniors will play if their peers play, women will play if other women play. Leagues will be successful if someone organizes and promotes the matches. The key-someone to make sure people have other players to play, someone to organize social events and other related activities, someone to make calls and promote activities. The clubs need to recruit dedicated individuals to promote their programs. The sport needs to help by providing the information to help these people. The players need to help by volunteering services to their clubs.
We can all make a difference-so, let’s get started!”

I agree with Dr. Hiser wholeheartedly. There is no doubt if we could find people across the country and world that are willing to be that person this sport would grow tremendously.

Why do I feel this way???? To be honest, I have been that person for a year and a half. I was tired of the work world controlling when I play racquetball. I was fortunate enough to put myself in a position to be involved in the racquetball world as much as I wanted. I started a Junior Racquetball Club, a Collegiate Racquetball Club, and recently started giving FREE racquetball lessons to non students so that they too can learn about this magnificent sport. The feedback has been tremendous. A good sign is that numbers continue to go up with all the clubs and recreational players in my area. I can honestly see this in the high schools in my area in a few years. I can honestly see successful leagues going as the players get better and better.

I ask you…will you join me on the Crusade to help take this sport the next level? If so, please read on to “Growing the Game”.

We had our second conference call in as many months. Once again, I feel it was successful. I’m still learning how to run these crazy things but I found it to be effective. One thing I did learn is that I have to be more organized and have an ACTUAL agenda and STICK to the agenda.

There were about the same number of people as last month but new names. There were people like Sudsy Monchik, Daryl Keys, Hank Marcus, Joe Garcia, and so many other enthusiasts of the sport. Everyone had great input as to where we may be hurting and what we should try to focus on.

This is a conference call intended for people who want to help be a part of the growth of racquetball. We are people who are not looking to point fingers and blame as to why our sport has been through such a decline in the past. We are people who want to help others be successful in their areas getting programs off the ground.

I have personally set goals to paper on committing myself to the growth of racquetball for the next 10 years. I am that serious about this. What happens after that only time will tell. I only hope my kids and girlfriends will continue to be patient with me. I love what this sport offers and I want more and more people to experience it.

Please, if you are someone who would like to be a part of the growth that is occurring join us on September 19th at 9pm EST.

Look for an e-mail with the subject: “September 19, 2006 Conference Call: Growth of Racquetball”. You will see the topic that will be discussed and this will give you an idea if this call is for you.

There are some unedited notes from the last call. Go to:
http://wiki.meetandplay.com/default.aspx/MNPRacquetballWiki/2006,%20August%2015.html

I repeat…these are unedited so be sure to come back for the edited version.

I hope to hear you on the next call.

There are close to 250 players who competed for the IRF World Senior Championships 2006 in Albuquerque, NM. Matches are being played in 26 divisions within 5 days in different clubs of the Albuquerque vicinity. The tournament is going on as I release this newsletter. The Mixed Divisions, which are being held for the second time only, will feature an unprecedented number of 40 teams. Daily updates from the tournament will be available online.

For more information go to:
www.internationalracquetball.com

**USARacquetball has come out with a new website that is an all-inclusive USA Racquetball Tournament Web Site and the official national tournament home page of USA Racquetball: www.usaracquetballevents.com. This is a central location for racquetball players, event directors, media, parents, fans, and state directors to get racquetball tournament information.

**Upcoming events
**Men’s Pro Tier 3 in Stockton, CA September 7-10
**Men’s Pro Tier 1 in Kansas City, MO September 14-17
**Women’s Pro Tier 1 in Fayetteville, NC September 14-17
**Men’s Pro Tier 3 in Chihuahua Mexico September 21-24
**39th USA National Doubles Championship September 27-Oct. 1

**#2 Ranked WPRO Player Cheryl Gudinas got married right before the World Championships

**Wilson Racquetball
Wilson Racquetball has come out with a new line and so far the response from their players has been very positive.

They have three new racquets ranging from 155 grams to 175 grams. They all have their NCode technology. When a racquet is nCoded, nano-sized silicon dioxide crystals permeate the voids between the carbon fibers. This adjustment made at the molecular level, significantly strengthens and enhances the stability of the overall carbon matrix.

One thing you will find with Wilson Racquetball is that they have product designed for the Lady. Their new Hope Pro Racquet is weighing in at 155grams and is more on the head heavy side with nCode technology in it. They also have a Hope Backpack designed with the female in mind as well as the ONLY company with a glove (Hope) designed specifically to fit the contour of a lady’s hand.

Also, a portion of every Hope sale is donated, by Wilson, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to help fight this terrible disease.

Call us today to demo one of their racquets.

They have also come out with an instruction DVD by Derek Robinson. Some would say that the Big D Roadshow is arguably the best instructional DVD on the market today. I have not seen it personally but some of the Wilson players have used the term “best” they have ever seen in instruction.

They have a new line of bags….
A Tour Bag 28”Lx11.5”Hx10.5”W
A Backpack 13”Lx18.5”Hx11”W
A Club Bag 26”Lx13”Hx10.75”W
A Player’s Bag 30”Lx13”Hx11.25”W


**Hi-Tec
In 1974 Hi-Tec was the first performance shoe specifically designed for indoor court sports. Over the years they have become recognized as global leaders in indoor racquet court footwear selling over 30 million court shoes. By applying high technology and innovative materials they ensure the ultimate performance and comfort, whatever your needs may be.

They are leaders in hiking boots and are Magnum (www.magnumboots.com) for the Police and Law Enforcement and are Falcon (www.falconhitec.com) for the Military in the US. It is definitely fair to say they are a leader in the shoe industry.

I have used Hi-Tec’s for two years and I will be using Hi-Tec for another year for sure. What is it about Hi-Tec that attracts me to their shoes?

First, I haven’t found a shoe lighter than Hi-Tec’s. Second, the heel counter is very stable and offers all the support I could possibly need to prevent me from rolling my ankle. You see, one of the biggest misconceptions that I find is that people believe that a mid is the way to go to get more support. I don’t believe that is true. If you feel the heel of a shoe you will notice how hard it is. That is the support you need to prevent you from rolling your ankle.

Notice the TPU (Thermo Poly Urethane) Shank of a Hi-Tec shoe; which is the material used within the construction of the outsole/midsole to provide lateral stability and rigidity to the foot during play. What does this mean in English? Grab a Hi-Tec shoe and hold it with both hands in the very front of the shoe and at the heel. Start twisting the shoe. You will notice that the mid section does not bend. That is the support you need to prevent injuries.

Good stability of a shoe prevents need for knees and hips compensating for a shoe that has no support. A shoe that is pure comfort will not prevent problems down the road. Over pronating (or hyper-pronation) is a common problem and can lead to a number of other injuries. If a shoe is too soft there is no support for over pronating.

To view Hi-Tec’s selection of shoes go to:
http://www.lawlersports.com/Products.aspx?pl=4c9ab043-7f6a-4276-9a80-b78b58915c83,553d713a-f0a2-4d70-ad65-6a0eacdf8afa

Well folks, I think I have done enough damage for now; at least until the end of September.

I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming season.

Manny Rodriguez
Lawler Sports
www.lawlersports.com
manny@lawlersports.com
800-875-3701